A defensible methodology is a repeatable, documented process for collecting, examining, and preserving digital evidence. Another qualified investigator should be able to understand what was done, why it was done, and review the results without undermining the evidence’s integrity.
In cyber security investigations, it supports reliable findings and scrutiny in legal or internal proceedings. Teams apply it by recording acquisition steps, tools and settings, timestamps, evidence handling, and any limitations, while preserving originals and maintaining chain of custody. Consistent procedures matter whether examining one device or collecting data across many endpoints: speed should not come at the cost of traceability or reviewability.